Spotlight on… 

Emma Taylor, Research Associate, University of Bath 

What’s your current role at your institution? 

I’m working as a Research Associate at the University of Bath on the Transforming Homes project. My work is focussed on WP3, working with the team to ensure the successful completion of the demonstrator homes in Knowle West. 

Which past experiences have helped you the most in your current role? 

The world of academia is very new to me; this being my first research position. Until January 2024 I worked as an architect in practice, including my own for several years, with a strong focus on sustainable design. I am a Passivhaus Designer and have recently qualified as a Retrofit Coordinator. I expect both qualifications to benefit me in this research role.  At Architype, my most recent practice, I was part of the housing team focused on social housing designed and built to the Passivhaus standard.  Although new build, many design principles apply to the retrofit work at Knowle West, for example, designing homes that are flexible and facilitate modern day family living, provide a healthy internal environment, minimise energy bills and use of construction materials that lower the embodied carbon in the home. In my own practice, I worked on retrofit projects for individual homes; many requiring bespoke design and technical solutions to meet the client brief. 

What excites you about the research in the Transforming Homes project? 

I’m enjoying working on the project and am grateful for the opportunity to work in a team with so much knowledge and expertise. I am quickly realising how much I will learn!   

I am excited to see the direction the project will take by placing the community at the heart and ensuring they feel empowered to influence decision-making.  I hope this approach demonstrates to a wider audience the effect community action can have on accelerating retrofit across the UK, whilst ensuring residents feel pride and ownership not just in their individual homes but also in their community.  It will be interesting to see where this approach takes us and how it may differ from one driven by achieving energy targets. 

The use of bio-based materials is important as whilst we want to investigate the supply chain and embodied carbon targets for these materials, demonstrating the existing building and occupant health benefits will be invaluable. I hope this research is a catalyst for change, particularly within the social housing sector.   

How is your expertise contributing to the Transforming Homes project? 

Having worked as architect in practice I am familiar with teamwork and hope my project management skills can help as the project progresses through the construction phase. Hopefully, my design and technical experience will allow me to contribute to the retrofit solutions we develop for the project. I have always enjoyed organising and attending consultation events and am keen to develop innovative engagement activities for future events.